Albums – Page 64 – Real 80s CCM

Steven Curtis Chapman – Real Life Conversations – 1988

This is the second album from Steven Curtis Chapman. Its a pretty pop oriented album but there a few tracks that lean towards light rock. I had not listened to this one before and I was pleasantly surprised when I finally did. While it’s certainly not Rock it is pretty good and there are a few tracks here that will go in my regular rotation. The album was very successful with 2 #1 CCM chart hits, “His Eyes” and “My Turn Now”. “For Who He Really Is” also made it to #4, and “His Strength Is Perfect” to #10. “His Eyes” also won the Dove award for Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song Of The Year and “His Strength Is Perfect” for Inspirational Recorded Song Of The Year. Steven also won the Dove award for Songwriter Of The Year on the heels of this album.

Tracklist
1 – Faithful Too – 4:00
2 – Tuesday’s Child – 4:05
3 – For Who He Really Is – 5:03
4 – Consider It Done – 3:43
5 – His Eyes – 3:33
6 – The Human Race – 3:44
7 – Wait – 4:14
8 – Truth Or Consequences – 5:00
9 – My Turn Now – 3:27
10 – His Strength Is Perfect – 4:38

Credits
Arranged By [Strings Arranged By] – Alan Moore
Arranged By [Tracks And Background Vocals Arranged By], Guitar, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Steven Curtis Chapman
Art Direction – Barbara Catanzaro-Hearn
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Geoff Moore, Herb Chapman, Phil Naish
Bass – Mike Brignardello
Design – 5 Penguins Design, Inc.
Drums – Mark Hammond
Engineer [Assistant Engineer] – Carry Summers
Guitar – Jon Goin
Mandolin, Mandola – Mark O’Connor
Mastered By – Denny Purcell
Mixed By – Jeff Balding
Photography By – Mark Tucker
Producer [Production Manager] – Cindy Wilt
Producer, Arranged By [Tracks And Background Vocals Arranged By], Keyboards – Phil Naish
Recorded By – Ronnie Brookshire
Recorded By [Strings Recorded By] – Bob Clark
Strings – Carl Gorodetzky, The Nashville String Machine
Vocals [Guest Vocal] – Geoff Moore

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – The Sparrow Corporation
Copyright © – The Sparrow Corporation
Distributed By – C.M.C. Distribution
Mastered At – Georgetown Masters
Recorded At – OmniSound Studios
Recorded At – Gold Mine Studio
Recorded At – Downstage Studio
Recorded At – Great Circle Sound
Glass Mastered At – Nimbus, Virginia

Jeoffrey Benward – The Redeemer – 1988

Jeoffrey music career was a matter of family tradition. His father was a popular Christian singer and his son Aaron is also a popular Christian artist. Jeoffrey has performed and recorded with both his father and son. As for this album apparently there was some problem with it’s distribution. It’s was one of the early album on ForeFront Records who knew what they were doing and was an artist owned label. Apparently there was some dispute on revenue but I really can’t find much on the issue. As a result of this apparently this album just didn’t get the proper promotion that it probably deserved. The album did have a CCM charting single, “The Redeemer” made it to #36. As for the album well I’m going to describe it as Worship pop. I say this because the album has a pop sound but Jeoffrey’s voice and lyrics are more worship oriented. It’s an interesting sound that is not my preferred sound but I actually think it’s well done and should be listened to.

Tracklist
1 – Come O Great Jehovan – 3:33
2 – His Majesty The King – 3:00
3 – By His Power – 3:55
4 – The Redeemer – 4:51
5 – Strength For The Journey – 4:45
6 – Great And Mighty – 3:16
7 – Church Of The Living God – 3:34
8 – Calvary Casts A Shadow – 3:41
9 – So Much Love – 5:02
10 – A Man Of God – 3:36

Brian Becker – Daring 2 B Different – 1990

This is actually Brian’s 4th album. However his previous 3 were not picked up by a label and are almost impossible to find. This was his first of 2 albums with label Benson. Apparently Brian has an audio engineering and computer degree and was a pioneer of using MIDI’s in the Christian genre. I can’t really hear it in the album but that doesn’t mean much. The album is excellent. It’s a fun pop rock album and might just have been a little late for 1990. That said Brian was just warming up for his second album which was very successful. I quite enjoyed this album and there’s a few tracks that will be going into my regular rotation.

Tracklist
1 – Love Keeps Hanging On – 4:05
2 – Daring 2 – B Different – 3:51
3 – His Name Is Jesus – 3:36
4 – He Knows – 4:06
5 – Tender Touch – 5:00
6 – I Surrender All – 5:34
7 – Spirit Of Elijah – 5:33
8 – Written On My Heart – 3:41
9 – Still Quiet Voice – 5:19

Credits
Arranged By [Backing Vocals], Directed By [Backing Vocals] – Geoff Thurman
Arranged By [Horns] – Fred Middlekauff, Geoff Thurman, Jamie Page
Arranged By [Rhythm Tracks], Sequenced By – Paul Mills
Art Direction, Design – Phillip Spencer
Backing Vocals – Brian Becker, Geoff Thurman, Jamie Page, Kemper Crabb, Toni Becker
Choir – Andre Cormier, Benita Woods, Cheryln Cormier, Cynthia Brigham, Greater Emmanuel Church Of God In Christ Choir, Kerry Banks, Myra Cormier, Ophelia Banks, Tangerla White, Valerie Heard
Coordinator [Post-Production] – Alan Kawakami
Cymbal [Overdubs], Effects – Brian Becker
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin – Jerry McPherson
Engineer – Chuck Sugar
Engineer [Assistant] – Paul Mills, Steve Dady
Mastered By – Chuck Sugar, Hank Williams
Percussion [Overdubs] – Jamie Page
Photography By – Jim DeVault
Producer – Jamie Page
Sampler [Drums], Drum Programming – Paul Mills
Saxophone, Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trombone – Fred Middlekauff
Vocals [Duet] – Toni Becker

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Rolling Shoals Productions
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Brian Becker
Copyright © – Rolling Shoals Productions
Copyright © – Brian Becker
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Pressed By – DADC – DIDX 006928
Recorded At – Rivendell Recorders
Mixed At – Rivendell Recorders
Mastered At – Mastermix

Helen Baylor – Highly Recommended – 1990

Helen actually had a very successful music career in the late 60’s and 70’s. She worked as a session musician for several big acts and was actually in the musical “Hair”. Unfortunately her career faltered in the 80’s due to drug addiction. In the late 80’s she turned her life around and after becoming a Christian and started to reignite her music career. This is her first album and it is pretty darn good. It has a solid pop sound and feel. It was produced by John Bokowski who didn’t usually work with Christian labels but I’m guessing Helen and him knew each other previously. The album was very successful. It had 2 CCM charting singles, “There’s No Greater Love” made it to #8 and “Victory” to #17.

Tracklist
1 – Highly Recommended – 5:09
2 – There’s No Greater Love – 5:02
3 – Victory – 4:23
4 – Thank You Jesus – 6:00
5 – Hunger For Holiness – 5:50
6 – Lifting Up The Name Of Jesus – 4:44
7 – Can You Reach My Friend – 4:09
8 – Temporary Pain – 4:18
9 – Wounded Soldier – 5:19
10 – Fear Not My Child – 4:58

Credits
Backing Vocals – Gertrude Bradley, Helen Baylor, Jackie Simley, Jeanette Williams, Pam Hutchinson, Sara Henningburg, Suandra “Pan” Alexander
Bass – Freddie Washington, Weldon Gate
Bass, Guitar – Jerry Williams
Co-producer – Helen Baylor
Drums – Ron Bruner
Guitar – Charles Fearing, Tony Maiden
Keyboards – John Bokowski
Lead Vocals – Helen Baylor
Producer – John Bokowski

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Record Company – Word Records Limited
Record Company – Word (Uk) Ltd.
Produced For – King’s Court Productions, Inc.
Produced For – One A’Chord Productions
Made By – JVC Disc America

David Baroni – From The Heart – 1981

This is the first album form David Baroni. I didn’t hear of him in the 80’s so this is my first exposure to him. He actually had 11 albums so I’m kind of surprised I hadn’t at least heard of him. His style is not my preferred genre so I’m not surprised I hadn’t listened to him but I should have at least heard of him. His albums were on relatively small labels so I guess that could be the reason. As for this album it appears it was initially released on Gary Paxton’s own label but then appears to have been picked up by LifeStream Records which was a division of Calvary Records. Anyway that’s the history of the album ad as for the album it is a very Easy Listening effort but is pretty well done. The one upbeat track “Mr. Money” actually isn’t too bad and quite frankly I would have loved to hear Stonehill cover it. The album did have a charting single, “We Need To Meet Them There” made it to #24.

Tracklist
1 – From The Heart – 3:42
2 – Are You Reachin’ Out – 3:23
3 – It Won’t Be Long (‘Til We’re Home) – 4:40
4 – Soldier Of The Light – 3:59
5 – The Man You Thought You Already Knew – 4:39
6 – Port In The Ragin’ Storm – 3:25
7 – We Need To Meet Them There – 4:27
8 – At Your Door Knockin’ – 4:25
9 – Mr. Money – 3:14
10 – The Light That’s Always Burning – 5:08

Credits
Arranged By – David Baroni, Gary Paxton
Art Direction, Layout – Smokehouse Studio
Engineer – Bob Whyley, Gary Paxton, Gene Rice, John Erickson, Mike Poston
Photography By – Dill Beaty
Producer – Gary Sanford Paxton
Written-By – David P. Baroni

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Parkerson Productions
Copyright © – Parkerson Productions
Published By – Gary S. Paxton Publications, Inc.
Recorded At – Waxworks Recording Studio
Lacquer Cut At – Masterfonics

Seth – Psalms – 1975

While you may not have heard of Seth you have probably heard of a few of their members. Kelly Willard, who was Kelly Bagley at the time went on to have a long career with Maranatha! Music. Jonathan David Brown would go on to be a top notch producer and song writer. Keith Edwards eventually became a drummer for Amy Grant and Rhenda Edwards Tull, later sang on Parable’s first album. So while you may not remember Seth you have certainly heard their members. The album is a very good 70’s album and I’m rather surprised I had never heard it before today but as it was on Shalom records I”m not that surprised as this was a relativity unknown label.

Tracklist
1 – A Man Called Jesus – 3:15
2 – Many Years – 4:46
3 – A Psalm of Love – 3:19
4 – This Christ – 4:25
5 – My Friend – 2:55
6 – Ready – 5:00
7 – I Will Praise Him – 4:44
8 – Keep Holdin’ On – 4:30

Credits
Band – David Wayne Hines, Debbie Newell Scott, Jonathan David Brown, Keith Alan Edwards, Rhenda Edwards Tull

Trace Balin – Champions – 1988

This was Trace’s first album and lets just say she came out with a bang. The album sprouted 3 top 10 CCM chart songs, “Only For You” Made it to #4, “We Need Each Other” #5, and “All I Wanna Do” to #6. Rounding out the singles for the album was “We Are An Army” which made it to #17. That’s pretty darn good for a first album. That said the album was set up for success as some of the top songwriters in the industry penned the songs and even Greg X. Volz did some backup work. Personally my favourite track is “Rock These Rafters” which is an excellent song and I really think it might have suited Petra a few years earlier. The opening track “Champions” is also pretty good and displays her great vocal skills.

Tracklist
1 – Champions – 4:22
2 – All I Wanna Do – 3:15
3 – Only For You – 4:25
4 – We Need Each Other – 4:55
5 – We Are An Army – 3:52
6 – Walk In The Spirit – 4:50
7 – Take Me There – 4:20
8 – Rock These Rafters – 4:28
9 – Use Me Jesus – 4:42
10 – I Don’t Deserve Your Love – 4:16

Credits
Arranged By – Brett Teegarden, Carl Marsh, Joel Balin, JDB
Art Direction, Design – Bill Brunt Designs
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Carol Becker-Rizzo, Greg X. Volz, Trace Balin
Bass – Spencer Campbell, Tommy Sims
Cover [Coordination] – Terri Short
Executive-Producer – Lynn Keesecker
Guitar – Dann Huff, Jerry McPherson
Keyboards – Brett Teegarden, Carl Marsh, JDB, Phil Kristianson
Management, Booking – Painter Associates, Richard Painter
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography By – Mike Mitchell
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jonathan David Brown
Programmed By [Programming Assistance] – Joel Balin
Recorded By [Assisted By] – Brett Teegarden*, Howard Levy

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright © – Word, Inc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Record Company – Word, Inc.
Record Company – Word Records Limited
Record Company – Word (UK) Ltd.
Recorded At – The Pond
Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
Made By – Discovery Systems

The Awakening – Into Thy Hands – 1988

I’m going to preface this short review by saying that if you want to read a little bit more about the aftermath of this album you need to read Ian Tanner’s blog on Bandcamp. It is a very well written explanation of the aftermath of the album and how it all went wrong but I will cover a few points of his story here. The album was released in the summer of 1988 and had a great single “Lonely Place” which made it to #25 on the CCM charts with very little support from their album label. In fcat they had so little support that this would end up being their last album. The record label also made no effort to set up a support tour for the band and the band themselves had trouble setting up a tour. The band were not a bunch of 20 year olds who could live on spam and as a result they needed an actual money making tour as they were adults with families and careers. This is such a pity as the album is great and they should have had a successful tour but it was not to be. So instead we are left with a great album and one that probably would have had a few more singles if it had been properly promoted.

Tracklist
1 – Remember Me – 2:30
2 – Don’t Wait For Me – 5:25
3 – Wrestling In The Jungle – 4:21
4 – Thoughtful – 3:50
5 – Again – 4:20
6 – Lonely Place – 4:46
7 – Where Is The Love? – 4:58
8 – Knife Of Life – 3:55
9 – Into Thy Hands – 4:31
10 – Onward – 4:39
11 – Never Say Goodbye – 4:59
12 – Clear Day – 4:16

Credits
Art Direction, Design – Bill Brunt Designs
Artwork [Sculpture], Illustration – Tony Novak
Bass, Percussion – Allan Powell
Co-producer – The Awakening
Drums [Ludwig Drums], Percussion, Backing Vocals – Michael Powell
Engineer [Additional Engineering By] – Darren Walters
Engineer [Additional Engineering By], Mixed By – Lloyd (Froid) Walker
Engineer [Engineered By] – Richard Hutt
Engineer [Engineered By], Mixed By – Andrew Horrocks
Executive Producer – Jeff Moseley, Terry Hemmings
Guitar – Andrew Horrocks
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Programmed By [Computer Programming], Grand Piano – Ian Tanner
Producer [Co-produced By], Mixed By – The Awakening
Producer [Produced By] – Richard J. Hutt
Programmed By [Additional Programming By] – Glenn Koehler, Mike Powell
Programmed By [Keyboard and Computer Programming By] – Ian Tanner
Programmed By [Keyboard and Computer Programming By], Mixed By – Richard J. Hutt

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Cedartree Recording Studio
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Distributed By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Reunion Records
Copyright © – Reunion Records
Published By – Edward Grant, Inc.
Published By – Topographic Music Ltd.

Andrus And Blackwood – Holiday – 1984

This was the final album from Imperials alumni Sherman Andrus and Terry Blackwood. To say they wet out with a bang is an understatement. This album had three charting CCM singles. “Amen Again” made it to #18, “The Prayer” to #33, and “I Can Do All Things” to #34. Not the best positions but 3 charting singles is nothing to sneeze at. Both artists went on to have solo careers but they weren’t as successful as they were as a duo. as for the album it is a fun pop AOR album and I really like the direction this duo was headed in but obviously they felt their time together was done. Too bad actually I think they could have done a better job musically together.

Tracklist
1 – Builder Of Bridges – 4:06
2 – Warriors – 4:12
3 – The Love In His Eyes – 3:46
4 – Witness – 3:12
5 – Joy And Peace – 3:22
6 – Amen Again – 4:51
7 – The Prayer – 3:27
8 – I Can Do All Things – 3:58
9 – Nothing Separates Me (From His Love) – 5:01

Credits
Backing Vocals – Alfred McCrary, Charity McCrary, Gail Farrell, Linda McCrary, Melissa Mackay, Sandi Hall, Susan McBride
Bass – Leon Gaer
Drums – Cactus Moser, Jack Kelly, John Ferraro
Guitar – Marty Walsh
Keyboards – John Rosasco, Smitty Price
Percussion – Alex Acuna
Saxophone – Brandon Fields
Synthesizer – Art Wood, Rhett Lawrence
Vocals, Backing Vocals – Sherman Andrus, Terry Blackwood

Debbie Amstutz – No Other One – 1980

This is another artist I can’t find any info on. I can’t even find much info on the album which is rather surprising consider it was produced by Dallas Holm and Phil Johnson. Furthermore it appears to have had 2 pressings as the cover changed, unfortunately the second cover is as bad as the first one. Even stranger is the fact that the album had #4 single on the CCM charts. “No Other One”, It’s actually a duet with Dallas Holm so I understand why it singled but I’m still surprised I can’t find anything out about Debbie. This was her one and only album so I guess we will just have to listen and enjoy it. As for the album it is a easy listening album but is pretty good if you like that genre.

Tracklist
1 – Don’t You Think It’s Time – 3:26
2 – So Much – 2:14
3 – Don’t Be A Fool – 3:08
4 – Jesus, I’m An Open Book – 3:37
5 – Trusting Jesus – 3:04
6 – No Other One – 3:31
7 – Rose Petal Lady – 3:13
8 – Praise Song – 3:18
9 – Softly and Tenderly – 2:23

Credits
Backing Vocals – Debbie Amstutz
Bass, Strings, Arranged By – Jack Williams
Drums – Kenny Malone
Engineer, Remix – Bob Clark
Guitar – Jon Goin, Steve Gibson
Keyboards – Dony McGuire
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Shane Keister
Lyricon, Saxophone – Denis Solee
Mastered By – Hank Williams
Photography By – Michael Borum
Producer, Backing Vocals – Dallas Holm, Phil Johnson
Remix – Warren Peterson
Songwriter – Debbie Amstutz
Strings – Shelley Kurland’s Strings

Companies, etc.
Recorded At – Great Circle Sound
Remixed At – Great Circle Sound
Mastered At – Woodland Mastering
Designed At – Michael Harris Design
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Greentree Records
Copyright © – Greentree Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Copyright © – John T. Benson Publ. Co.
Copyright © – Dimension Music